Crutch-supporting attachment.



L. REMIGK.

GRUTGH SUPPORTING ATTACHMENT. APPLICATION rum) MAR. 14, 1911.

1,006,791. Patented 001211911.

ATTORNEYS UNITED ETATEE FATENT @FFTCE.

LOUIS REMICK, OF PASSAIC, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO CHARLES REMIGK, OF PASSAIG, NEW JERSEY.

CRUTCH-SUPPORTING ATTACHMENT.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that 1, Lotus REMIGK, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Passaic, in the county of Passaic and State of New Jersey, have invented a new and Improved crutch-Supporting Attachment, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

Among the principal objects which this invention has in view are to provide a crutch with an attachment which may serve as a support for the crutch when extended in a horizontal position; and to provide an attachment of the character mentioned in a manner to avoid the same becoming an ob struction to interfere with the comfort of the user when the crutch is employed in the usual manner.

With these objects in view, the invention consists in adding a swinging strut or arm to the crutch which, when extended perpendicularly from the crutch is locked into position to form a rest for the crutch when the same is extended in a horizontal position.

It further consists in employing means for adjusting the length of the strut to equalize or to compensate for a seat or other place of rest of the user.

It further consists in constructing and employing means for holding the strut firmly in the inoperative position of the same.

One embodiment of the present invention is disclosed in the structure illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which like characters of reference denote corresponding parts in all the views, and in which-- Figure 1 is a perspective view of a chair seat showing in conjunction therewith a crutch constructed and arranged in accordance with the present invention; Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section on an enlarged scale of a fragment of a crutch embodying the present invention; Fig. 3 is a detail view, on an enlarged scale, showing in side elevation, a fragment of a crutch showing the manner of securing the supporting strut constructed in accordance with the present invention; Fig. 1 is a detail view in perspective showing the locking means employed by me for holding the sections of the strut in fixed relation.

As shown in the drawings, the crutch is of usual construction having the bowed side bars 9, 9 which are held in bowed position Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed March 14, 1911.

Patented Oct. 24, 1911.

Serial No. 614,319.

by the hand bar 10 and the head 11. Where the bars 9, 9 part to show the crotch as shown in Fig. 3 of the drawings, a block 12 is inserted and held therein by means of rivet bolts 13, 18. The block 12 is recessed to receive the disk 14 which is integrally formed on the rod 15. From the center of the disk 14 is passed the pivot shaft 16. The rod 15 and a tube 17 form the strut for-supporting in extended position, the crutch as shown in Fig. l of the drawings. The tele scopic arrangement best seen at Fig. 2 of the drawings, of the rod 15 and the tube 17, permits the lengthwise adjustment of the rod and tube to vary the length of the strut.

When in use, a crutch constructed in conformity with the present invention is employed as shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings, to form a horizontally disposed support. The need for the employment of the crutch in many cases arises from the stiffness of the leg or is a result of the tenderness of the leg which makes it painful to bend the same to accommodate the seating posture of the person. Little or no convenience is provided for a cripple of this nature, and as the places of rest vary, it will therefore be seen that while providing the crutch thus constructed to rest the leg, provision must be made for resting or lowering the outer end of the crutch when in use. It is for this reason that the slidable arrangement of the rod 15 and the tube 17 is furnished. To bind the said rod and tube in fixed relation, I have slotted the end of the tube to form the flexible clutch sections 18. The screw threads formed on the sections 18 are downwardly tapered so that the said sections become constricted when the nut 19 is screwed toward the end of the tube 17 clamping the same upon the rod 15 in an obvious manner. By means of this construction it is seen that an adjustment of the rod 15 and the tube 17 is quickly and readily accomplished.

It is to form a brace for the strut that I have provided the foot piece 20. The foot piece 20' is shaped to extend under the hand bar 10 and to rest within the spring socket latch 21 when folded to the inoperative position of the strut. The latch 21 is of any usual construction.

In the carrying position, as best seen in Fig. 2 of the drawings, and in the operative position as best seen in Fig. 1 of the drawings, the rod 15 is locked by means of the spring latch 22. The spring latch 22 is provided with a tooth 23 which strikes into the recess 24 suitably provided in the disk 1e as best seen in Fig. 2 of the drawings. The tail or handle of the latch is extended beyond the metal casing 25 to be convenient for manipulation by the operator.

The operation of the invention is as follows: \Vhen employed as a crutch of the usual construction and arrangement, the rod 15 and tube 17 are adjusted to a length to extend the foot piece 20 under the hand bar 10 to be there engaged by the socket latch 21, and by the tooth 23 of the latch 22. The strut is held firmly in this position during the ordinary use of the crutch. hen, however, the cripple desires to rest, if on a chair, bench, stump of a tree, or other convenient seat, the latch 22 is raised, releasing the tooth 23 from the recess 2% which permits the strut to drop downward to the position shown in Fig. 1, where the latch 22 reengages the recess 24: properly arranged to maintain the strut in the perpendicular position referred to. Should the seat be high, the operator releases the nut 19 to permit the tube 17 to slide on the rod 15. \Vhen the adjustment of the said tube on the said rod is perfected, the nut 19 is manipulated to cramp the sections 18 in holding relation upon the rod 15. The leg of the cripple may now be rested at the desired angle. Vhen sufficiently rested, the leg is removed from the crutch, the nut 19 is manipulated to permit the readjustment of the rod 15 and the tube 17, and vary the length of the strut. The latch 22 is then manipulated to release thedisk 14 when the strut is turned between the side bars 9, 9 until the foot piece 20 reengages the socket latch 21, the combined length of the rod 15 and tube 17 being adjusted to accommodate this action.

Having thus described my invention, What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. A crutch supporting attaclnnent, comprising a strut pivotally mounted to extend perpendicularly from the side of said crutch to support one end thereof.

2. A supporting attachment for an open frame crutch, comprising a strut pivotally mounted to extend perpendicularly from the side of said crutch to support one end there'- of; and a foot piece formed 011 the free end of said strut said foot adapted to rest between the sides of the frame of said crutch.

3. A crutch supporting attachment, comprising a strut pivotally mounted to extend perpendicularly from the side of said crutch to support one end thereof; and means for locking said strut in inoperative position.

4. A crutch supporting attachment, com prising a strut pivotally mounted between the side bars of a skeleton crutch; a spring latch mounted on said crutch to engage said strut to hold the same in adjusted position; and a second latch to hold the free end of said strut in inoperative position.

5. A crutch supporting attachment, comprising a strut pivotally mounted and embodying a plurality of sections telescopically arranged; and meansfor locking said sections in adjusted position to vary the length of said strut in use.

6. A crutch supporting attachment, comprising a hinge block fixedly mounted between the sides of a skeleton crutch in the crotch thereof; a strut pivotally mounted in said hinge block provided with a notched disk head; a pivot bearing for said'strut concentric with said head; and a spring latch mounted on said block for engaging said notched disk in holding relation.

7. A crutch supporting attachment, comprising a hinge block fixedly mounted between the sides of a skeleton crutch in the crotch thereof; a strut pivotally mounted in said hinge block provided with a notched disk head; a pivot bearing for said strut mounted in said head; a spring latch mounted on said block for engaging said notched disk head in holding relation; and an extcnsible section slidably mounted in said strut to vary the length thereof.

8. A crutch supporting attachment, comprising a hinge block fixedly mounted between the sides of a skeleton crutch in the crotch thereof; a strut pivotally mounted in said hinge block provided with a notched disk head; a pivot bearing for said. strut; a spring latch mounted on said block for engaging said notched disk head in holding re lation; an extensible section slidably mounted in said strut to vary the length thereof; a foot piece fixedly mounted on the free end of said movable section and extended parallel with the handhold of said crutch; and means mounted on the handhold of said crutch to holdingly engage the said foot piece when the strut is disposed in inoperative position.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

LOUIS REMTCK.

Witnesses THOMAS F. BROWN, Josnri-i H. DUNNING.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. C. 

